Our puppies are going home this week and the reality of having a curious new critter sniffing and running around the house is a reality.  We not only want our puppies to have found great new families and to be in a healthy safe environment but we also really want their owners not to be overwhelmed by the transition process from our house to yours. 
There are so many puppy training tips and suggestions online.  All you have to do is google  "Puppy Biting" or "Puppy Potty Training" and if you're anything like me......
                                                      All of the sudden,  you're late for work!!

Confinement/Containment for safety and security:
When you're making dinner, giving the children a bath or putting them to bed,  all the normal things you do around the house,  you now also have to keep an eye on a very curious puppy.  They are going to chew on stuff, try to eat things that they shouldn't and  are not potty trained.  If you do not have a place to put your little friend--Your dinner is going to definitely get burned!!  There are so many confinement products on the market.  One that was recommended to me last week by Kimberlee @ Kimberlee's Kennels in Decorah Iowa  was the Midwest Puppy Playpen.  She said that a large majority of her puppy families purchase one.  It's safe, large enough for the puppy to play in and the bottom try pulls out for easy cleaning.
For a standard dog, buy a 4 foot one and you've got a pen that they can use for life. 
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https://www.petsupplies.com/item/midwest-puppy-playpen-w-1-2-grid/110167/

You can also build something simple that you can keep in your home for just these times when you dont want to crate your puppy,  you just need him in  safe place while you go check the laundry or do the dishes.  Obviously you wont need an elaborate system like we have for an entire litter of puppies but the idea is,  you can be creative and very inexpensively have easy access to a secure spot for your pet without completely separating them from the family or household activity.   I made that box for Macey and the puppies with 4 shelves on clearance at Menards, some used pool noodles from my friend Tony, some zip ties and a few corner brackets.  For the bottom, I found some pieces of laminate wood flooring that were left over from a project or I could have bought a 4ft piece of linoleum too. 
It was less than 20.00 and impressed the hell out of my husband!!

However you devise to keep your puppy contained, Please Please Please do not take your eyes off him or her.  They will chew, swallow or potty the second you turn away.  Remember,  that is your mistake and not theirs and they should never be punished for that. 

SAFETY TIP:  Remove door stops if they have a cap that can come off. Your puppy will find these on a hot second!!!  Also,  if the toilet screw caps are not secure, take those up too,  they are the perfect size to choke your puppy.

https://thedogtrainingsecret.com/ ---This website is amazing for tips, training ideas and suggestions.  


Time for work!!
Peace out.
Sherry 

If someone has the answer to this,  please seriously comment or send me a note through our contact us icon because I would really like to know.  Although I love me THREE female dogs,  I would never EVER trade the "laid back-- take life as it comes" attitude of Duke, Cody or Hank.   
Duke is protective, but that's not the same thing and also why he lives here!
I decided to do some google searching to see what the internet has to say: 

Whatever the preconceived ideas are about male vs. female pets,  I can guarantee you one very important thing: 
Your dog's behavior is going to be unique and reflect how it is treated and trained!!

We recently took in Leighla.  She was sent back to our poodle breeder by the family who bought her because she is hyper, jumps and is "mouthy"...meaning she grabs at your hands with her mouth.  Yup,  she totally is and does all those things.  Guess what?? She's a 1 1/2 year old poodle who needs a lot of attention, exercise and patience.  She's getting better and better by the day.  We give her attention, exercise and are firm with her.  We don't toss her in a kennel when she is does something that we don't like.  We get her to calm down by taking her outside or aside and asking her for some changes by sit, stay, calm commands.  I dont know the family who had her or what their circumstances are,  I just know that her behaviour if purely environmental.  Remember,  whether you                                                       have a male or female pet   
It is one hell of a lot easier to TRAIN a           behavior than to CHANGE it!!
...yes i can swear   it's my blog!!  ;p)

Peace out!!!
​Sherry 

I thought I would make sure and update my postings on social media for today.  My thought is that everyone will be sitting around on their phones in between commercials and getting plates of chicken wings. 
I am still looking for some homes for a few of our puppies.  I know that we will connect with the perfect families for these guys soon,  but in the meantime I spent a couple of hours yesterday  bringing each puppy in the house,  trying to get the perfect portrait photo of their individual markings, coat and features

​.............Here's a little idea of how that actually went

So.  Yeah,  just come and see these guys in person!!
They are adorable, friendly and love attention. 
After the latest Doritos commercial or Terry Bradshaw's rant about how cold it is in Minnesota this eventing,  take a moment to appreciate how those perfect photo's got on not only my ads but everyone else's........and   BUY THE PUPPY!!!!


Peace Out!!
​Sherry